Alice Wong, Influential Disability Rights Activist, Passes Away

Alice Wong, a prominent disability rights activist and author, has passed away at the age of 51 due to an infection at a hospital in San Francisco. Her close friend Sandy Ho confirmed the news and described Wong as a 'luminary' of the disability justice movement, emphasizing her desire for a world where people with disabilities, especially those from marginalized demographics, could live freely and have full autonomy over their lives and decisions.

Wong was born in 1974 to immigrant parents from Hong Kong, and she was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at birth. Throughout her life, she faced immense challenges, using a powered wheelchair and an assistive breathing device, yet she remained a fierce advocate for disability rights.

Her work included founding the Disability Visibility Project in 2014, which began as an oral history project to collect and share the stories of disabled individuals. This project has grown into a vital platform for amplifying the voices of disabled people and addressing systemic ableism in the United States.

Wong's memoir, 'Year of the Tiger: An Activist's Life,' published in 2022, explored her journey and the discrimination she faced, while also celebrating her passion for living an unapologetic life filled with joy and humor.

In the memoir, she referred to herself as a 'disabled cyborg,' reflecting on her reliance on technology to navigate life. Wong's advocacy extended to various social issues, including her opposition to the ban on drinking straws and her efforts to ensure that disabled voices are included in political discussions.

She co-founded the #CripTheVote movement in 2016, which aimed to raise awareness about disability issues among voters and politicians. Her contributions to the disability rights community were recognized with the prestigious MacArthur 'Genius' Grant in 2024.

Wong's impact is felt deeply within the advocacy community, as her friends and colleagues remember her not only for her activism but also for her sense of humor and writing skills. Wong advocated for the importance of storytelling in amplifying disabled voices and called for more narratives that reflect the experiences of disabled individuals.

A statement from her family shared on social media emphasized her role as a 'fierce luminary in disability justice,' and they quoted her as saying, 'The real gift any person can give is a web of connective tissue.' As tributes pour in from around the world, many reflect on Wong's legacy and the ongoing fight for disability rights and visibility, ensuring that her work will continue to inspire future generations.